September signifies several things.  Its the archery opener for elk and for spike / fork moose, and deer in the Prince George region…..as well as the sockeye salmon opener.

Its been a few years since Prince George had a sockeye season.  This year the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) have announced a sockeye fishery in the Nechako River from September 1st to September 26th.   With the recent news pegging the Fraser River sockeye returns at 34 million sockeye salmon, it is one of the largest returns in over 100 years.  A lot of them will be passing through Prince George.  Approximatly 300-400 000 could be moving up the Nechako to their spawning grounds in well known places like the Stuart River and through up to Takla and its tributaries as well as the  Stellako River.

http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/fresh-douce/region7-eng.htm

With a 2 fish limit.  Its a great opportunity for Prince George resident anglers to take home great eating salmon.

That reminds me, I need to go set up my bottom bounce rig!  For those who don’t know how to catch (flossing is a better term) sockeye, it is quite simple.   I’m rigging up with an 8-12 foot leader(12 lb test) of which at the end is a size 2/0 barbless Gamatkasu hook (laser sharp hooks are critical), a small size 10 red corky strung onto the line to the head of the hook (gives a little floatation for the hook)…and then tie off the leader onto a three way swivel of which a bouncing betty is attached to the dropper ring and the main line attached to the other ring.  Many people like to tie yarn onto the hook, but it is not necessary.  This system is quite popular and how most folks in the lowermainland catch sockeye salmon along the Fraser River bars.

Don’t forget to ensure you have the Conservation surcharge for non-tidal salmon (Salmon Conservation Stamp) put on your freshwater fishing licence prior to retaining any sockeye salmon.

Now scouting is important and everyone says you need to scout but how many actually put it to practice?  Probably not many.   Here’s a short write up highlighting great examples of how a scouting trip can turn up hot moose hunting locations right here in British Columbia! 

For me, scouting starts on the internet utilizing both IMAP and Google Earth.  Both are invaluable tools of which I utilize for my hunting.   My resources are not limited to just those two, but definatly among the most important two.

IMAP is a BC Government based mapping program which takes a little time to get to know how to use and to utilize the tools within the program for maximum benefit.  Click on the link to view and take the time to go through it:

http://webmaps.gov.bc.ca/imfx/imf.jsp?site=imapbc

If you havn’t already downloaded Google Earth to your computer, I would highly advise you to do so.  Google earth is an amazing tool to utulize for on line scouting.   Click on the link below and hit the download link for Google Earth 5. 

http://earth.google.com/

Back to scouting for moose.  I did most of my scouting via google earth and IMAP, getting to know the lay of the land, where the cutblocks are, where the wetlands are, where the rivers / streams are, where the corridor / pinch zones are and where the roads are in relation to all of the above.  I had a pretty good idea where I was going to start looking for moose when and if I am able to get afield.

We had a great day scouting both zones and we have singled out a few spots which should guarantee at least moose sightings and perhaps a bull to shoot.

Keep in mind, I am not one who goes out hunting for big bulls.  I’m like the vast majority of moose hunters in the province.  And that is for guys / gals who just want to shoot a meat bull, cow or calf  moose in season.  Most often its going to be the 1st bull moose they see.  There’s no point in getting all worked up on how to find big bulls…thats easy enough by heading north and flying into wilderness places…..but rather focus on habitat that will increase your liklyhood of encountering any bull moose.  Sure if a big one presents itself, it is up to you as the shooter if you want to shoot a big bull.  Big bulls in my experience, are pretty darned tough eating unless taken early season in a northern BC August or early September hunt before the rut begins. 

Give me a calf moose or young bull any day over a big one.  They provide the best eating! 

I have highlighted several ‘key features’ a moose hunter should key in on for high odds of success of which we noted on our 1 day scouting trip.   By no means as a moose hunter, are we limited to just these examples but it is what we found and keyed in on.

• Streams / River / Riparian habitat.
• Wetlands
• cutblocks with bench like habitat with a band of mature timber which encompasses a couple small wetlands and a stream. 
• deactivated cutblock areas

STREAMS / RIVER / RIPARIAN HABITAT

When scouting, we were able to pinpoint a few areas where we know the odds of encountering a moose are quite high.  The first of which is riparian or in laymans terms, stream / river edge habitat.  Moose LOVE hanging out around streams / river edges.  Especially when there’s an abundance of side channels (or oxbows) and feed such as willow and aquatic vegetation for them to feed upon.  Riparian habitat provides a natural movement / funnel corridor for ungulates, in particular moose. 

Not far from the road, we found a classic spot for moose hunting with both waders and / or canoe!  Great opportunity for the archery hunter as my friend hopes to harvest one with his bow.  You can call in moose into close quarters for a shot. 

Here’s a great photo highlighting riparian habitat moose love to frequent.  Find such a spot and you’ll find moose!!  This has it all, for both the rifle and archery hunter.

WETLANDS

I love hunting moose in wetlands.  Wetlands are magnets for moose.  There’s nothing like sneaking into a grassy meadow at day break and seeing moose in the fog!   We looked over several such spots which also hold promise for moose.   One of the best ways to enhance your odds of seeing moose is to pick meadows which are at pinch points or also along riparian habitat.  I have often picked spots casually right from studying google earth images in areas I have never hunted, go right in and shoot my moose the first day hunting there.   Here’s one such meadow we found.  Its a guarantee you will see moose here!!  A little water along the edge and this is one hot spot to hunt.  It is also adjacent to a stream, in which travelling moose will eventually wander right through the wetland meadow.  The little water pockets are magnets for cows / calves which in turn will also draw the bulls.

Now here is wetland habitat that is a prime draw for moose for a number of reasons.  The adjacent cutblock hillside is a prime feeding area for moose as well as offering cover and security within the mature forest and those 2 wetland complexes are a great place for moose to bed during the day.  Bulls will also herd the cows up high into the cutblock to breed and this is a classic spot in which to hunt during the rut.  It is also tough access due to road deactivation.  It would rank up there as one of the best spots to spend a night or two.  Odds of seeing and taking a moose here is really high.

CUTBLOCKS with BENCH HABITAT

A short distance from the road (and you cannot see it until you got out for a short walk and I am sure many hunters drive right by this little gem of a spot), we found this:   A classic and I mean what a classic bench.  Ranged out to a max of 220 yards to the tree line and a great vantage point!!  Perfect place to sneak in at first light to see if any moose are present and to call both mornings and evenings to lure a bull out!!  There’s a fair sized stream about 400 yards past the edge of the timber with a couple small wetland pockets.  A dynamite calling spot.  Even my buddy was shaking his head in wonder at what a great spot it was…after all, its in the zone I drew the tag for!!  Its amazing what a short walk (very short) can do to discover spots like this.  I am positive many hunters have driven right by ever since the block was harvested without getting out for a closer look see whats over the edge.

REMOTE DEACTIVATED CUTBLOCK AREAS

In a landscape dotted with cutblocks, this is one such block that raises my attention.  The road is virtually deactivated from where the photo was taken.  The cutblock also does not have a road running through it, meaning hunters on ATV’s will not be able to cruise through it.   This block is situated on a relatively high bench, in which you can see the hillsides surrounding the block.  Its a great place to still hunt through as the cutblock provides one of the only great food sources for miles.  Still hunting through this block at first light will provide a great opportunity for moose!  For those big bull hunters, this is a great place to find one…as well as a cow / calf moose when in season.

Keep checking back!  There’s some great opportunity for those backyard moose hunters who are just looking for a moose to harvest.   Keying in on critical features like we did on a 1 day scouting trip, is sure to increase your odds of success!

Deboning all the meat and looking after the cape is an important part of the hunt.  We deboned the entire ram.  All 4 quarters, backstraps, tenderloins and even the ribs.  Given how late in the hunt it was, we knew we had a lot of ground to make up and it was without delay that we would start out right away and go as long as we could before setting up camp for the first night. 

Fully loaded and ready to go.  Pack weight is well in excess of 100 lbs with meat, and head (which still wasn’t caped out at that point).  We would hike hard with no break until we were well into the timbered valley again that was familiar to us.  Its much easier and quicker covering ground when you know what to expect and what lays ahead!!  It was still a big grunt effort. 

That night rain moved in and we were tired, so we figured to spend a few hours resting while I looked after the caping of the ram.   Chef extraordinaire, Brent, took that time while I was caping out the head, to gather wood and build a fire in order to cook what has to be the highlight of the trip.  Sheep ribs sprinkled with seasoning and slow cooked over the coals of the fire.  Absolutly scrumptious.  Many sheep hunters don’t bother with the ribs when packing out a sheep.  They are missing out the best part of the sheep hunt, and that is ribs over a fire.  It is delicious. 

After a great feast of greasy ribs!  I set about the task of turning the ears, eyes, lips and nose.  Brent tackled the skull to clean off the flesh and remove the lower jaw. 

Brent working away.

Soon after … we packed and loaded up our packs!!  With full stomachs and renewed energy we struck off.  Another long day of hiking with heavy loads.  Not much was said as we knew we had a long ways to go.  Pretty much the only conversation centered around, “Lets take a break for a few minutes.”  At this point we were hitting all those streams (I prefer to call them small rivers) and fast water crossings.  This time, instead of taking our packs off to put our crocs on, we just taped the bottoms of our boots and trudged on through.  This saved a lot of time.  We each took turns standing by in case one of us fell into the water.  Heavy loads combined with fast water can make for tricky crossings.  One important thing to do is to undo all the buckles on your pack, and take your hands out of the hiking pole straps.  Should you fall, you want to be able to get out of your pack as fast as you can.   This is just one crossing I decided to snap a couple photos of Brent.    We would yet  make another camp that night.  Our 2nd day enroute with loaded packs.  We were exhausted to say the least and we didn’t even bother cooking dinner but downed a protein bar and turned into bed to sleep.   This is what happens when you push yourself deep into sheep country.   Like the old saying, what goes up must come down …. can apply to how far one hikes into the mountains.

Brent making one of the many crossings we would do.

We woke up early on our third day to start our backpacking the rest of the way to make it out.  We were 2 very very tired hunters at this point but we would make it.    Looking back, we pushed quite hard to cover ground and consequently our cameras never came out of their pouches.   I will have to remind myself to do so next time.   We were both happy and tired and just wanted to start the road home. 

Exhausted on the 3rd day of backpacking … but still grinning!!

The beaver!! 

Quickly loaded up for the drive home!!  The salted cape and all the meat was stored in the cooler we brought.  Back at the lodge at Muncho Lake, we were able to get ice to keep the meat cold for the drive home.   We thanked Marianne and Urs for their wonderful service and flying once again on a great sheep hunting adventure.  

I hope you all enjoyed reading about this Stone’s sheep hunting adventure and this inspires new and aspiring sheep hunters to make your dreams a reality and one day pursuing mountain monarchs…and to those with sheep hunting experiences under their belt, a renewed thirst to pursue sheep as well as rekindle your own past and future adventures in the mountains.

Just imagine, 14 days in the mountains of northern British Columbia in pursuit of one of the most desired big game species ……the Stone’s sheep.   This was an extreme hardcore backpack hunt from start to finish that can best be described as the best weight loss program 14 days can give when scrambling across rocky scree slopes and climbing mountain after mountain.   We were subjected to extreme weather conditions from the heat and sun’s rays to winds so strong they bent the poles on the tent and rain / thunderstorms that had us hunkering down under the Sil-Tarp waiting for it to pass.

The gear and equipment we used stood up to rigorous testing once again that are demanded of them in remote and rugged mountains of northern BC.  In particular for 14 straight days and over an estimated 130km of scrambling through the mountains.   

Packing the right gear is important in order to be able to stay in the mountains for 14 days in comfort!!   In the recent BC Outdoors: Hunting and Shooting, Pre-Season 2010 Issue, there is a feature article, “Gearing up for Sheep: The ultimate packing list”, which highlights the gear involved with such a hunt. 

Packing for this year’s Stone’s sheep hunt was no different, with the exception of substituting oatmeal with a protein bar for the added energy content we anticipated we would need for the hunt. 

July 29th, found Brent and I pulling up to Northern Rockies Lodge http://www.northernrockieslodge.com/ and shortly thereafter getting re-aquainted with Urs and Marianne, with whom I have flown with on several occasions in the past.  This lodge provides excellent service for resident hunters wishing to access the Northern Rockies for all big game species the north has to offer.  With a C-185, Dehavilland Beaver, and turbine Single Otter, they are very well equipped!!

Within the hour, we were down at the docks and loading up the Barney packs into the turbine otter for the scenic flight to our destination.

My good hunting partner Brent Tingstad all set to go!

As everyone who has gone hunting in the mountains can attest to …. it often involves a lot of bushwacking before you get anywhere.  Thats not all.  August hunting this year involve a lot of extreme heat / bugs / sweat and our clothes getting saturated within the first hour.  The mosquitoes and black flies were pretty bad (and thats putting it mildly) and we realized that perhaps it might push rams out of the timber / buckbrush into high lofty places.

It was late at night when we finally made camp in a grove of trees still down low in a valley and the views in the waning sunset offered no views of any animals.  It was like a silent void interupted by the steady zzzZZZzzzzzZZZ from mosquitoes trying to get inside our head nets.

Hiking through the valley bottom in the thick willow jungles.

Having flown in a few days before opener, we figured we had time on our hands to find sheep yet by noon that first day… not a single sheep sighting. Not surprising given Brent and I had gone an entire hunt 3 years ago in this area without seeing a single legal ram … or many sheep for that matter. We were there to give it another try!!

The heat was insane and the water source was now an issue …whereas in the past it wasn’t. There’s a good reason why hunters should always filter their water or zap the water… 

Just because the source was good in the past, was no reason to assume it would be the same 3 years later.

A harsh reminder to zap or filter all water sources.

Good thing we knew where to find alternative water sources with it being so dry. Often places have tiny seeps that will always have water dripping throughout even the hottest summers. Its always a good idea to note where these are for future hunts. It took a little while, but we eventually filled up our jugs with enough water to last a couple days in the alpine.

Zip lock bags are pretty handy as SSS patiently waits for the first bottle to fill up!  Being creative in the mountains really adds to the success and enjoyment of the hunt.

After making camp, we scoured the mountain and what was severely lacking anywhere we walked was a lack of sheep sign such as fresh pellets. Yet with one day remaining prior to opening day we spot them.  A band of sheep which looked like good rams way off on a ridge and a decision had to be made … keep hunting the mountain or pack up and make the move to where the sheep were (which was a heck of a grunt effort in itself to get there).

After some discussion based on current and past conditions in the area, we made the move … it was an exhausting move that had us finally fall asleep at our destination after nightfall.  Upon our arrival, we found the water source all dried up whereas it was flowing in the past.   A big rain storm moved in as we were setting up the camp and we quickly threw out Brents Integral Designs Sil-Tarp II to collect rain water … a tactic that provided us with 20-25 liters of water for the next few days.   This method of water collection in the past has enabled us to stay up high in the mountains without having to drop down low for water. 
 
On the move … and no we didn’t see any sheep despite glassing and watching on our way. Destination was the distant mountain with snow on it.  A long haul day and quite smokey.

Plodding along …. still a long ways to go when keeping an eye out for sheep at the same time.

The water collection method using the Sit-Tarp II is dynamite!  Hence, why we each pack a Sil-Tarp II. One to collect water (if needed) and the other for shelter. Here, Brent poses with more than enough water to last a few days from one rain storm!!  A tactic I and we have used on mountain hunts since 2004.

The weather was socked in opening morning with low cloud obscuring the mountains which was great for us as we were quite tired from the previous days hike.  By mid-morning, the fog started to lift and it was with that we shouldered our packs and started making our way up and around the mountain side to where we last saw the sheep.  We did see lots of sheep sign and fresh pellets, yet as we climbed, glassed and peeked around every little bump in the terrain, no sheep were to be seen.  Finally we were on the ridge and we moved into position to do some glassing and expecting to see sheep. We saw sheep, only 4 or 5 ewes and lambs across the basin.  Where were the rams? Did the sudden rain storm change their whereabouts? After glassing a while, it was apparent we weren’t the only ones there.  4 people were down below also glassing and by alternatively watching them and glassing the basin we surmised it might be some guides with clients and it was clear after a few hours, that the basin harboured no rams and we started to pick our way through the scree slopes to check out other areas for rams.

We finally make our way across the mountain scree and within a couple hours we were glassing a new basin and we know there’s absolutly nothing wrong with our spotting / glassing abilities as Brent is quick to point out a few rams in the rocks but they’re all young with the oldest maybe being 5 or 6 years old. We keep glassing and stay put until late evening with no further sheep sightings. We decide we’ll return the next day to see if we can relocate them and any other rams we may have missed …

The next morning bright and early we’re outside the tent when Brent says he hears rocks rolling above the tent … a quick look with the binoculars and there are 2 rams moving across the scree above the tent but they’re both young rams….a little 5 yr and 3 yr old ram.

Can you see them??  They sure blend in well!!  It often takes years of practice and observation of Stone’s sheep to be able to spot them in the rocks.

They bedded on a ridge above us and after climbing within a 100 yards we took a couple photos’ and they were on their way again.

 We were glassing the same basins and relocated the same sheep we were seeing the day before in fairly short order including the same folks we saw the day before further down the drainage.  Back to where we saw the rams the day before, we saw what we didn’t expect to see but did see.  3 more folks on the ridge on the far side glassing into the same spot where the rams were … we decided to move down closer to them and glass a different basin out of their sight … it was getting a tad crowded on this mountain with 10 sets of eyes all over the place (including us)…

We relocated the rams but knew they couldn’t see them but wondered if they were sitting on legal rams … and thought we should keep our distance seeing that they were onto the rams first that day and keep an eye for potential movement our way … irregardless, they sent the wrangler to have a talk with us as we were hidden glassing a back basin … we had a good conversation but it was clear they would be upset if we moved in their direction as they were waiting for rams to come up on top … turns out none of the rams were legal  and we departed on good terms and headed the other way after glassing the back basin.

Glassing the back basin …

Guide and hunter working their way down the ridge. They gave us a farewell wave with a smile as we departed. We would bump into them again a couple days later.

So there we were, sitting on a mountain with 10 sets of eyes glassing the heck out of it for rams and no shots have been heard and no legal rams have been seen. 

Brent and I had a pretty funny dialogue going on regarding the wranglers visit and ensueing conversation. He was a bit lost in conversation a few times but at the end of the day, the guide / hunter were onto the rams first that day and all we could do is sit a ways back and watch and see what the rams did (if there were legal ones around) and then we left the area when they observed that there were no legal rams and therefor saved us a little walking that day to check the basin they were watching.

Here are the young rams we both were watching.

On the way back to camp, we observed the camp down below … not even a km from where we pitched our tent.  For the first few days, it was feeling rather crowded and we surmised the fire ban was lifted given the smoke coming from camp.

A little discouraged, we headed back to camp early to figure out our next plan of attack for the area.

The Sil-tarp II came out almost right away when we arrived in camp.  A massive wind / rain storm started bellowing through and all we could do was just hunker down and come to grips with the weather and start boiling water for our freeze dried dinner.

We did get some wicked video footage of the storm and it sure replenished our water supply.   There’s one thing about rain water.  It sort of tasted like an ashtray with all the smoke in the air.

Discussions turned around to the lack of sheep (sure we saw some but certainly not many) and seeing how the others weren’t seeing / shooting rams either we figured we should hit another mountain with the idea we might bivvy out for the night and see what happens. 

All of a sudden out of the blue came a man on a horse just like it came from an episode of man tracker!! It happened to be a good gent I had made an aquaintance with before and after some friendly chit chat with the ongoings he left us a treat of canned pineapple, peaches and tuna!!  What an energy boost!!  We were very gracious for the treat and those pineapple chunks were a hit for desert!!

The next morning we were up early and started a long hike to another mountain to check out … it was a dreadfully hot day and water was scarce other than what we carried on ourselves.

After a lot of glassing, we finally see some ewes and lambs and 1 maybe legal ram bedded down low in a saddle but too far to tell if he was legal.

Sitting tight we continued glassing to no avail.  Brent eventually fell asleep curled up on his side.  At this point it was late morning and the sun was burning down.  After putting the bino’s down from a glassing stint, I casually looked over my shoulders … and I was floored … not 130 yards away was a ram staring at us … things happened awful fast at this point … putting the bino’s up I look at him and see he’s a nice full curl ram … at this point I turn and whisper loudly to Brent to wake up and that a ram was staring at us … quick whispers back and forth that he was a good ram and I was going shoot him and as Brent put the spotter on to see if it was a mature ram but at the same time he said shoot the ram turned and ran off before I could let the safety off … staring at eachother in disbelief what just transpired the ram reappeared over 230 or so yards away and bootin it up further away on the ridge to which I quickly got into an awkward prone position and 2 shots later … I was in shock … I had missed at a running ram.

Unbelievably – I had missed … it was the unthinkable but it happened in all the excitement within the moment. It wasn’t one of those cool, calm, collected moments where you pull a stalk on a ram and pick your shot. We did end up bivvying up on that mountain for the night to see if we could find him again but the direction and the way the mountains were, it would not have surprised us if he hit the timber and booted it for parts unknown at that point.

A nice ram. One which finally had me shouldering my rifle after all these years.  It was one of the toughest couple days I had mentally.  I had passed up many legal rams over the years waiting for such an opportunity and I had blown it.  Brent reassured me that I didn’t want ‘that’ ram, ‘that’ way. 

I graciously told Brent that night over dinner that I had my opportunity and it was his turn on the next ram we found.  I must say this is where good hunting partners can talk over the situation and he refused to take it, saying it wasn’t one of those instances where we spotted, stalked, and had the shooting opportunity but rather a quirky case of the ram finding us and in the hurried events which transpired … didn’t quite fit as a good opportunity.
This part of the hunt seems to lack a few pictures … I may have zoned out in that regard but we did make a great bivvy shelter with the Sil-Tarp II that was solid and wind resistant and just stare off in the direction the ram last disappeared.

It was a long haul back to camp after hunting / glassing all the next day from a vantage that let us see in all directions for any rams … we only saw a few ewes and lambs (including the bunch that the other ‘maybe’ legal ram was with but he was last seen also headed in the timber direction and perhaps a different mountain).

We were parched and exhausted upon returning  to the main camp late that night …

At this point we were hunting the mountains 2 days and if we spotted sheep, we would return the 2nd day to ensure we didn’t miss any other sheep, especially if we were able to re-locate the sheep from the day before. This method increased the odds of seeing rams when moving around looking for sheep.  We never did see new sheep … sure there ‘may’ have been missed sheep but sometimes you need to play the odds.

Given the prospects of finding rams with so many eyes around and no sheep taken and having blown an opportunity at a great ram … we were reflecting on the next plan and it was one we had in the back of our minds but never thought we would contemplate. Way off in the horizon lay a rugged, and I mean rugged mountain range in the distance … mountains neither of us had ever hunted and knew relatively little about.

“We’re gonna do it huh?  Hike all the way over to those mountains??” It wasn’t just a hike over for a look see … it took us 2 1/2 days to get there.  A hike that would leave us shaking our heads at times but given the current circumstances … it was time to move into unfamiliar country.

On zoom from through the spotter … intimidating … and we would end up beyond the far peak in the photo …

The next morning we start up our packing for the big move. We figured 1 day … how wrong we were … those mountains were farther than we thought they were.

Here’s us starting to load up … followed by the lucky marmot that was under our tent when we arrived back the night before. 

Packing our packs with well rehearsed precision, we were loaded and off without much delay other than slight apprehension as to what we were getting ourselves into with the unknown.

Early on our hike, we were amused as I am sure they were as we came upon the previously mentioned wrangler, guide and hunter (who couldn’t resist taking our photo as we stood there with packs on).  They were all loaded up and pulling out as well and in the direction we were headed.

With a bemused look upon her face, the wrangler pipes up … “You guys tired yet?”

“Just getting started.” Brent cheerfully answers …..

The guide goes, “Which way are you guys headed” and it was answered with a general wave of the hiking pole to the mountains beyond … “That way!”

And off they went … with the guide snapping a couple more photo’s of us before he mounted his horse.

And so it was … we were off …

The hike was eventful and eventually creeks turned into raging torrents which is better suited to be called small rivers but it was off with the boots and on with the crocks with every crossing … quite tedius so to speak.  We were tired but we kept pushing forward, taking breaks when required.

A tired looking Brent likely thinking what the hell are we doing anyways…

We don’t have too many photos of the ‘journey’, more so because the cameras were tucked away and we were more focussed on covering ground as much as possible. Not being able to really sheep hunt for over 2 days while in timber was eating away at us. We got rained on really good and that bush is just soaking wet when having to hike with rain gear and being saturated with sweat in the humid heat.   It was quite miserable going with willow and alder bushes grabbing us at every chance.

We had to light a fire one evening to dry our stuff out at one of the camps we made.

At long last … we finally were breaking tree line and given the first views of the mountains we would start in search of Stone’s sheep rams. It wasn’t long before a nice caribou bull entertained us for an hour!!

Brent luring the bull back!! Curiosity gets them every time.

and back he comes…

Brent and I took some time studying the maps to give us an idea of the area shortly after breaking tree line.

Soon we were making camp beside a creek with adequate glassing!! It was a lot of fun being in new country we had never hunted or seen before!  Never knowing what to expect.

 
That evening, despite tired legs, we were motivated to take an hour to climb up and have a peak over into another basin for an evenings glassing session. Things were looking up … we spotted a few rams on another nearby mountain ridge but theywere young ones.  After a couple days of hiking in the timber, it was a great feeling to see rams right away and it stoked our confidence. 

Brent heading back down to camp after glassing an adjoining basin.  It was a windy and cold evening.

The next morning, it was up and at it again as we glassed the surrounding mountains with a couple ewe lamb sightings from the tent.  More promise!! It was time to climb up and get another ‘new’ view in the other direction. We weren’t disapointed and liked what we saw.  Now if only we could find rams.

Climbing up from camp.

The first views Brent and I had as we crested the ridge … was just spectacular!!

It wasn’t long while glassing that I found a bull caribou on a high ridge in the distance. I told Brent about it and we kept on glassing.  About 15 mins later, Brent announces there’s a sheep where the caribou was. And it was a ram!!   Our legs went nearly dead … that ram was 5 km as the crow flies on the sky line and we could see he was a ram worth checking out. With our camp way back behind us, we decided to make the choice to empty our packs except for rifles / bino’s and make the haul back down to camp and bring it back up with us so we could be more in the ‘zone’ so to speak as far as glassing / hunting goes.  And so we did just that … made it back to camp in time to have a dinner break and then pack it all up again and over to where we wanted to be.   

New camp location with a grande view!!  The Mountain Hardware Approach tent pictured certainly would have a few tales to tell if it could talk.   It has flawlessly accompanied me in the mountains since 2002!!  One of the best lightweight mountain tents I have ever seen.

Back glassing and the good news was that the ram was still bedded / feeding on the distant ridge. We were going to go for it. 5km straight line … we had alot of hiking ahead of us and we figured we were going to be making a bivvy camp again … putting it into perspective, the ram was on the farthest sky line above the tent in the above picture.

The ram on the sky line.

Keep in mind … the day we made the move on this ram was day 10 of our hunt.  In my experience, most sheep hunters have had enough and pull out of their hunts between days 5 and 8.  Day 10 (not including the day we flew in) is getting long.  Bodies are fatigued and very tired yet our mental focus was on track and this late in the game, mental toughness and perseverence rules the day.

We were up early at 4 am and on the move.  It was a cold day with a north wind and skies that left us wondering if we shouldn’t have just brought the tent just in case … but we didn’t. 

Aan hour into the hike, we were thoroughly motivated … the ram was still there, and we forged on … always on the lookout for other sheep enroute. Closer and closer with each passing hour.  We were pushing hard and it was having a telling effect on both of us fatigue and thirst wise.  It didn’t help that with only a couple kilometers to go that we spot another guide outfit camp with tent and people around down below.

Given the location of the camp and the fact the people were still there, told us that they likely couldn’t see the ram from where they were so we pushed onwards to see if we could get into position.

I’d like to say at this point, we were both nearly tanked and parched for water.  But by 11am we peaked over the top and at exactly 220 yards was the ram bedded down without a clue in the world as to our presence.

An exhausted Brent catching his breadth just short of the top of the mountain peak we would look over to find the ram bedded.

Bedded ram!!

A beautiful ram with nice dropping and flaring horns that didn’t quite make full curl … “Jeeze Brent, I can’t get 8 on him.” which went on for over an hour.  After a while though we were getting the view we needed and it looked like the ram would be 8 … but at that point, we were like, if we couldn’t decide earlier to shoot him that perhaps we let him walk and thats exactly what we did … even though he was a very very nice ram.   It takes a lot of will power and resolve to pass up such a ram, in particular when you’re in a hunt as deep at this and after an exhausting stalk.

Brent taking some video footage of the bedded / feeding ram.

 
We got up to stretch our legs and decide to take in the rest of the scenery and crawling back over we were given a great sight!!

A great looking pack train of horses moving through the country.  An absolutely classic way to hunt and move through sheep country!!! 

However, we were backpack sheep hunters … how much tougher can you get when you have to use your own two legs and carry everything on your back!!   Especially considering what we had gone through at that point in the hunt to be where we were.

After watching them go through … we returned our attention back to the ram.  He was up and feeding and moving away from us … having a better opportunity to view his horns, and see he was indeed a nice ram! After he fed out of sight, we decided we should go down and have one last good look ‘just to be sure’ … we started down and then this rain / wind storm hits and after waiting it out … we climb the next ridge to find the ram nowhere to be seen … at that point we went back on our previous statement that if its taking us that long to look him over, we should pass him up.

A few hundred yards up the ridge towards the packs (which were on top of the mountain) … I spot a grizzly bear across the basin working its way towards us and gave Brent the heads up and that we had better keep working our way up the steep ridge … the bear disappeared … then reappeared …. and what happened next … happened really fast … upon seeing us on the ridge, the bear charged from about 500 yards away … we started yelling and waving our arms as loud as we could to get his attention … he wasn’t stopping and he was reducing the yardage damn fast … Brent was the first to fire the first warning shot … grizzly bear still charging … I fired the 2nd shot … grizzly bear still running at a charge … Brent fires a 3rd … I fire the 4th … and he’s still charging …. I fire the 5th shot and that finally turns the bear … he heads off running back to the opposite ridge and down its length and back down into the timber… a few more seconds at the rate he was moving and we were going to end up having to shoot to kill.  Not a prospective situation to be in.  Yelling and waving followed by several shots and he was still charging … we were certainly lucky to be in an ideal spot with high visibility.  At the end of the day we are both safe!!

At this point its absolutly pissing rain and miserable out.  We knew we weren’t going to make it back to the tent and so we dropped down to utilize the camp from which the outfit pulled out from.  Everything was drenched and it was by good fortune a tarp rolled up was put to good use as a ground sheet with the Sil-Tarp II as a cover. (we ensured we rolled and put it back as we found it as it could save someone else’s hide on a rainy night!!).

The Sil-Tarp II has served us really well and we were able to rig up a nifty shelter from the heavy rain … a rain storm that would last well into late afternoon the next day. 

A good fire to help dry our gear when there was a lull in the rain.
 

This is day 11 and here I am, still smiling away the next afternoon while cleaning my lenses and readying them for more glassing!!  Thats right … it rained / socked us in till the next afternoon … it was just as well as we needed the sleep / rest for the long hike back to our tent.  Perseverence and a positive attitude is important!  We always expect bad weather conditions during our hunts and just take them in stride!  

Loading up / cleaning up spike camp to start the rest of the hike back to our tent and glass / hunt sheep as we go.

The hike back was great with a few ewe  / lamb sightings and the opportunity to check out new country.

The weather started to break as we made the last long climb towards our tent camp and the sun set was showing … The old saying crossed my mind, “red sky at night, sailors delight” … perhaps tomorrow would be a nice day.

Not too long after this photo … we were walking along and about half a mile to go to the tent when I whistfully brought the bino’s up to check a distant ridge on another mountain ……… “Hey Brent … Brent … rams … rams on the ridge………”    

“No way ….”  Brent goes.

And so it started again … we hunkered down below skyline on the mountain ridge and whipped out the spotting scopes.  3 rams and … one of them looked like a shooter. 

Our time was running out and here we had more rams and we were just simply tired.  Yet we knew that we needed to get a closer look at the larger ram. We watched the rams in the rapidly fading light and put them to bed at dark and woke up only a few hours later … it only took 5 minutes to find them … they were still there but they had dropped significantly in elevation and were feeding just above the buckbrush line at the bottom of the basin … it was time for us to make a move … if all went well, we’d be on them within the hour!!!
The rams disappeared from sight … and the winds were causing us a little worry … blowing in every direction … we needed to locate those rams again to plan an attack, yet we had no idea if they bedded or were still feeding into the buckbrush / timber area.  Tense moments.

The rams had come off the top of the mountain and were way down low near the buckbrush line at the bottom the next morning in this next photo.

We were sneaking along the buck brush and hoping to get a glimpse of the sheep from another angle when all of a sudden Brent stopped suddenly and backed up … they were bedded and the larger ram was facing us … we were busted … but we both automatically dropped behind a tree each and froze … that ram knew something was up but we didn’t dare move and the mosquitoes were really getting annoying … I was swearing revenge on them as they sucked my blood from my face / neck … but I didn’t dare move.   After over an hour, the rams got up to feed out of sight and we made our move back up hill in the direction they were feeding … we had them right where we wanted them … it was going to be a matter of sneaking over a low rise and being within shooting range … we took our packs off and readied ourselves … slowly sneaking up … we peaked over and nothing … where were they???  We couldn’t believe it … they had to be close but for some unknown reason I turned to looked behind me and there they were … already making their way into the cliffs over 500 yards away and looking back at us … the wind must have given us away … we just stared at them …. feeling sooo defeated … but we watched them make their way across the mountain side … slowing down to feed below some cliffs about a km away… exasperated … I noted a steep creek wash across the basin which required dropping down into the timber / bruck brush and regaining all that elevation again … there was a slight knob of which we could peak over … if we moved hard, we might be able to intercept the rams if they stayed their present course of movement.
Going down was ok … but climbing up … the energy was low but we had to move and go hard we did, pushing ourselves and when we topped out on the knob and peaked over … at first I couldn’t see anything … then all of a sudden one of the rams fed into view … they were now just over 400 yards and closing the distance!!!

We were pumped … the rams were now feeding towards us and it was just a matter of letting them just walk right into us and best of all, we were downwind!!

After getting ready … I slowly rose to take a peek and incredulously the rams had bedded down … between 320 and 350 yards away and 2 of them were facing us.

We hunkered down and figured to wait them out. I didn’t keep track but I’m sure it was at least an hour or two before the rams got up to feed again but this time they were really no longer feeding towards us … they were oblivious to our presence yet with the larger ram at 320 yards, we didn’t want the prospect of them starting to feed away from us … whispering with Brent … we decided now was the time to shoot when he fed and turned broadside …

Given everything we’ve gone through up to that point to be on day 12 of our hunt … I told Brent, “Lets shoot that ram at the same time!”  

The excitement was building … as we belly crawled the last few meters to a small little knob to rest our rifles on …

Simultaneous and in sync…….one, two….BOOM …. followed by a quick simulaneous 2nd round downed the ram for good!!!

And so it was …. an epic Stone’s sheep trip came to a conclusion and through hard work, perseverence and effort,  a fine ram was down.

Every year, sheep hunters take great sheep and have great adventures.  This was our adventure and our ram.  Hopefully some of you guys / gals who have yet to hunt in the mountains will make that effort to experience what sheep hunting is all about.  Sometimes the ram will come early in a hunt … and other times you’ll work for it and earn it like we did.  Either way, taking a ram on a trip is a bonus and secondary to the actual hunt itself.  This is the reason why Brent and I are able to stay and hunt the duration of a long hunt without giving up. 

We’re sheep hunters.

Here are a few pictures.  Our smiles say it all.

Short side.

Long side.

August sheep hunting to me is the gateway to the entire hunting season unfolding from September through November.   That also means you will also be able to log onto the BC Outdoors blog and follow my continuous updates and adventures throughout the fall. 

My hunting partner, Brent Tingstad and I depart tomorrow for the long drive north to Muncho Lake where we will depart for our destination via float plane.

My gear is packed and ready!  Some of you may have read the latest issue of BC Outdoors Magazine, ”Gearing for Sheep”.   Nothing in that list has changed for this years hunt except one thing.  That is the changing of my breakfast routine of oatmeal.   I like oatmeal on my sheep hunts and its a pretty standard fare for most others I know who also hunt sheep.  Some energy bars on the market today now weigh less than 2 packs of Oatmeal with way more nutritious content which is invaluable on a sheep hunt.  We’ll see how I like it with this years breakfast change up!  

We have planned our gear / food for 14 days.  Two whole weeks living in the mountains!!  This is where all the training and all the preparation (equipment, physical and mental) finally comes together.   I’m sure interested to know what kind of mountain weather will be thrown our way this year whether its being stuck in a tent for a few days or laying awake all night on a mountain ridge in a severe wind storm. 

For all you readers, check back in a couple weeks and I will have the story and photo’s of our sheep trip (whether successful or not) on line. 

Cheers,

Greg Blackburn

The proposed White-tailed deer season has been a bit of a news generator over the last few weeks in the newspapers and on the radio, particularly last week on the radio about the “hunters and environmentalists” teaming up to protest against the proposed White-tailed deer seasons in British Columbia, most notably in the Region 8 Okanogan – Boundary area of British Columbia as ……… not being sustainable.  

A white-tailed deer GOS is not sustainable??

Not only do I disagree, but I know it is sustainable. 

White-tailed deer have proven to be very resilient to harvest throughout North America and I do not forsee the proposed GOS to have any detrimental effect on BC’s growing white-tailed deer population, which, incidentally has risen to an estimated 81,000 to approximately 128, 500 white-tailed deer.  

The area where contentious issues have arisen within the Okanogan – Boundary area has an estimated 31,000 to 44, 000 white-tailed deer.  A high white-tailed deer population can have a negative impact on other species, in particular mule deer.   Especially when you’re dealing with predators such as cougar.

In a recent Times Colonist article, BC Guides Balk at plan to open season on white-tailed deer, an outfitter was quoted as saying the following:  

“Clear-cuts bring in the wolves, the wolves prey on the mule deer, the mule deer is in trouble and now the whitetail have become prey.”

………. believes a general open season on whitetails is not sustainable and that irreparable harm could occur.

• simplifying the provincial framework for regulating white-tailed deer hunting
• increase the recruitment and retention of hunters (which is further enhanced by the removal of LEH to a GOS antlerless season)
• increased hunter opportunity
• helps maintain a healthy and viable population (especially if combined with sound habitat management)

The proposed white-tailed deer GOS season is a step in the right direction and I look forward to seeing people out there to take advantage of the added opportunity.

We had a weekend of heavy winds which helped free up the ice sooner.

Continued cooler temperatures throughout the week and great weather forcast for Wednesday through Friday should make for some great fly fishing for huge rainbows.  After ice-out, these large rainbows can be caught cruising  in water as shallow as 1.5 feet tight against the reeds along the shoreline.   There’s nothing like the thrill of a 5 lbs plus rainbow ripping your line off from the shallows headed for deeper water!!

My top 3  fly choices after ice out at Dragon Lake has been the olive scud, teeny nymph and black or purple micro-leaches with red wire ribs. 

Dress warm as temps are still falling to sub zero temperatures with day time highs of 10 degrees.

Tight lines.

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/hunting/resident/leh.html

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The deadline has been moved up and LEH cards must be received in Victoria by 4:30 pm, May 21, 2010.

The hard copy versions of the LEH Synopsis will be available to the public the week of April 19, 2010.

As the miles went by on our way to Ft St John, I couldn’t help note the excellent snow conditions (although perhaps a little too deep for driving on side roads).   More important, I couldn’t help but not notice the number of deer out in the open.  A small buck here, a small buck there all wandering around in the daylight.   Now normally it is normal to see deer at all times, however most of the time the deer are either feeding or bedded.   Nearly all the bucks I observed, were literally cruising along with purpose.

A young mule deer buck cruising for does.

Ahhhhh, yes…….that magical time when the bucks are on the move covering as much ground as possible in the search of receptive does and there were also plenty of does around with smaller bucks tailing them.

Oblivious to my presence, a young buck chases a mule deer doe.

Mule deer buck sign was everywhere but that was also because the snow was 2 1/2 weeks old.   I also noted several huge buck rubs on 6-10 inch trees which is a very important indicator that large bucks were in the vicinity.

Big rubs with deep gouge marks usually mean big bucks!

 I was back in the Peace!   I was excited.  Hunting conditions were phenomenal and I knew I was in for an excellent hunt. 

They say hunting is a lot of luck.   But I’m a firm believer you can make your own luck increase 10 fold by putting yourself in position to take advantage of the hunting situation.  I had all the ingredients to make my own success happen:

• Does in estrus- mature bucks will be on the move looking for them. 
• Small bucks on the move: indicative that larger mature bucks will be looking for does too.
• Sign:  big rubs and big tracks = mature bucks.
• Identified bottle neck / travel corridor: probably one of the best features to hunt and watch when bucks are on the move and cruising for does in heat.  Be very patient.    

Adding to the 4 strategies previously stated in Part I:

Strategy and Scenario No. 5:  Hunt all day: especially bewteen 11am and 1pm. 

I say this with conviction because everyone is back in town or back in camps eating their lunch or having a mid day snooze.  They’re not hunting at what is probably the most critical time to catch a smart mature buck on the move.  They know and learn when hunters are afield.

I was paying special attention to the funnel / bottleneck area, watching and waiting.  All was quiet and then in one moment, there he stood, having just emerged from the heavy timber stand right at the bottleneck………at 12:20pm.  One quick look through my binoculars and I knew I wanted him.  The buck also had other ideas and began bootin’ across for cover.  I didn’t have much time, bracing myself into a sitting position with the cross hairs on the buck (god…..a running mule deer buck at over 300 yards isn’t a favourable target and I held off from shooting) and waited……and I waited……….and then he did it……….he did what has been the downfall of mule deer bucks all across North America……….the very curious nature of mule deer……….he stopped and turned broadside ………for one last look……… and a single rifle shot echoed through the air………..I was  ready for that moment……..

By incorporating my own strategies with your own hunt planning, you will greatly enhance your odds and success taking mature mule deer bucks.  I hope by presenting real situations with real success, that you are able to take that knowledged and added confidence that you too can have blind success for mule deer.

In that article, I highlighted 4 proven strategies which have worked for me in over 20 years of deer hunting British Columbia:

1. Watch the does
2. Ambush bucks enroute to or from feeding areas
3. Watch natural funnels / travel corridors
4. Stand hunt road crossings

I like to practice what I preach, and the 2009 deer season was no exception!! I know what works and it has proven to be very successful and it can work for you too! Read on and learn more on how you can be successful from my deer adventures of 2009!!

Watch Natural Funnels / Travel Corridors

Mid November of 2009 found me deep in the hills of the Thompson Nicola (Region 3) hunting once again with good friends and savvy deer hunters Steve Dana, Matt Brown and Terry Smith.

It had been three days of tough hunting and while we all saw legal bucks up to that point, they were not what we were looking for. I arrived back at camp to find Matt sitting by the wood stove, with a wry smile, “You’re going to go set up your treestand in that spot tomorrow aren’t you?……I saw your tracks.” he said.

With a big grin on my face I answered, “Yep!”.

You see, both Matt and I, while still hunting a huge tract of timber, came upon a series of game trails converging and being funneled through a low spot in the terrain bordered by impassible cliffs. If any deer wanted to cross, they really had no choice but to cross at this location. The perfect stand location! This highlights Strategy #3 from the article: Watch natural funnels / travel corridors!

I embarked early the next morning with my tree stand for the long hike in the dark to the funnel we found. With the crunchy snow conditions, I knew I was making the right decision. Normally, I would utilize natural ground cover or features, however this location was perfect for an above ground tree stand.

Stand hunting takes patience and it can be taxing mentally to sit in one spot all day long. Its not easy. Especially, when after 3 hours, all I saw was this:
 

After 4 hours, I was able to entertain myself with thoughts of, “What would she do if I jumped on her back?”

When sitting in a stand for a long period of time, its important to pay attention and stay focussed. Deer and wildlife will show up in the blink of an eye when you least expect it and often will not give you much shooting opportunity. Such was the case after 5 hours when I caught the subtle glimpse of grey movement coming through the trees in the distance. Fully alert and ready with my rifle in my lap, I waited for what I was hoping was a mature mule deer buck on the move. Another glimpse closer and I knew now that it was a deer, I had one window of opportunity to shoot, and I raised my rifle waiting and ready………he walked into view, and I lowered my rifle. He was a buck, but just a healthy young 2 point.

I had been in the stand now nearly all day with only 1 squirrel, 1 moose and 1 fork antlered mule deer buck sighting. There was 1 hour left of light and I was full on alert slowly scanning the timber back and forth watching when all of a sudden my heart stopped as the slightest glimpse of antler flashed through the trees way up the hill and disapeared and I instantly knew this wasn’t going to be any fork antlered buck.

I instantly also realized the buck wasn’t using any of the trails, but was utilzing the security of the thicker timber parallel to the trail and I wasn’t going to have much opportunity to shoot. He was getting closer and closer and finally I had a good view of the 4 point buck. It was long enough for me to quickly decide I didn’t want to shoot him and let him walk to live another day……but not before being able to zoom in and snap a photo of him on the ridge 50 yards away before he continued on his way!

For most hunters, new and old, this would have been a climatic way to end a very rewarding day by stand hunting a location after identifying a funnel / travel corridor!

Watch the Does

I had a great hunt in Region 3 and although I did not pull the trigger, it wasn’t without opportunity to harvest bucks.

On my way home, I thought I would check out a grown in cut area filled with small gullies and ravines that I know mule deer tend to favour.  With only an hour left of light, I was glassing the small clearings and openings when I spotted a mule deer doe.  She had my full attention as she was displaying an erratic stotting pattern, stopping to look back towards the timber, only to repeat the erratic stotting pattern again, stop and look back towards the timber. 

One needs to be alert and understand deer behaviour.  The mule deer doe was displaying classic doe in heat behaviour and I knew by her actions there could only be one thing that was causing her erratic behaviour………and that is a mature mule deer buck nearby!

I quickly grabbed my rifle and stalked downwind quietly to within 50 yards of the doe, who was oblivious to my presence.  She was impatient, pacing around and even coming close enough for me to get a photograph without being overly alarmed.  Note her ears turned back in the direction she was looking at.  Another clue, that I knew there was a deer in the timber.

Darkness and remaining legal shooting time was fast approaching and there was no sign of the buck I figured was holding up in the timber.  I had to think fast as I realized I needed to something to entice the buck out into the open.  With my rattling antlers back in the truck, I quickly used the end of my rifle barrel and brushed it across the willows while letting loose a series of low grunts………and boy that did it!!!  That buck came out of the timber with purpose and intent to thrash whoever was intruding on his girlfriend!!  He homed in right in my direction and it was long enough to see he was a nice mature 4 point mule deer buck with a swollen neck and being downwind, I could smell the strong scent of urine and scent from his glands. 

I decided not to shoot him either.  Instead preferring to observe the buck go about chasing the doe back into the timber.   Paying attention to does and behavioural clues as to what they are doing, can give you a great opportunity at a mature mule deer buck.